13:40 Brighton

Wednesday 8 August 2018

All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:10

Ann Ryan 50th Birthday Celebration Selling Handicap

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 2m 35.22s

(9)

Mighty Whitey^p,t³⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 9-3| J: T E Whelan| T: N C Kelly| OR: 48

16/1

Irish raider who is better known as a modest handicap hurdler these days although he fell on his latest start in that sphere. Only one Flat outing in the past two years and he was well held on that occasion (Sligo claimer); hard to recommend.

Form: 89145/8

(7)

Royal Hall^p²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: S W Kelly| T: G & J Moore| OR: 45

3/1

Not an easy ride and showed his temperamental side when looking none too keen in an Epsom handicap last time only running on when the action was all over. Had won over hurdles the time before and capable if in the mood but comes with risks.

Form: 97-9874

(4)

Nouvelle Ere^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: George Downing| T: A W Carroll| OR: 45

25/1

Has some wind surgery at the top of the year but that didn't really work and despite a fall to a basement mark he's continued out of sorts. Looks a hard ride and has done little to advocate backing him even in this grade of late.

Form: 858999

(6)

Bright Saffron^p1⁵⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Jason Watson⁽³⁾| T: George Scott| OR: 55

15/8

Yet to be tried in handicaps and makes her debut here with cheekpieces going on for the first-time. Largely poor form so far and hopes pinned on the use of headgear and a step up by 4f in trip here although has fewer convictions than most.

Form: 0494

(8)

Karakoram^b²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: M Dwyer| T: W R Muir| OR: 52

11/2

Looked to have run a decent race in first-time blinkers when first dropped into a claimer on turf (1m2f) but failed to back up that form last time in an AW claimer. Hardly meets strong opposition here though and not out of this on his best form.

Form: 058845

(3)

Still Got It¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Noel Garbutt⁽³⁾| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 51

12/1

Gets a chance over a new trip having run her best race over 7f so far as a two-year-old and probably needed the race on her return over 1m in selling grade. Mark now down to a career-low and worth a try and this distance in a poor race such as this.

Form: 2708-65

(5)

Just Right¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: William Cox⁽⁵⁾| T: J L Flint| OR: 50

4/1

Some of her form in weak handicaps would be good enough to give her a shot here (proven over the trip; drops into this grade for the first time. Ran well at Lingfield a few starts back to confirm that she can handle tracks like this; decent chance.

Form: 549203

Non-Runners

(1)

Austin Friars¹⁴

Weight: 9-11| Age: 6

T: J & S Best J: D C Costello

(2)

Epsom Day⁶⁹

Weight: 9-5| Age: 5

T: Mrs L J Mongan J: R Winston

Forecasts

Bright Saffron (15/8), Royal Hall (3/1), Just Right (4/1), Karakoram (11/2), Austin Friars (7/1), Still Got It (12/1), Mighty Whitey (16/1), Epsom Day (16/1), Nouvelle Ere (25/1)

Not a particularly enticing race to get proceedings underway but there was something to like about the Lingfield effort of JUST RIGHT that saw her finish 2nd in June, a repeat of that would see her go close here. Royal Hall has enough ability to win something like this it’s just a question of whether he wants to or not with his temperament often getting the better of him. Bright Saffron now makes her handicap debut in first-time cheekpieces and she has fewer doubts about her than some of these although like another three-year-old with a chance Still Got It she does have to prove herself at this trip.